What can treat ear infection?

Have you ever woken up with a piercing pain in your ear that just won’t go away? It’s most likely an ear infection. And let’s face it; if there is one thing worse than being sick, it is having an infection in one of the most sensitive parts of your body! But fear not, my fellow humans (and cats, I suppose), as we explore all the options for treating ear infections!

Symptoms

First things first: how do you know if you have an ear infection? Symptoms include:

  • Pain in one or both ears
  • A feeling of fullness or pressure inside the ear
  • Trouble sleeping on affected side
  • Drainage of fluid from the ear (in severe cases)

If any of these symptoms sound familiar to you, it might be time to start looking at treatment options.

Over-The-Counter Options

The good news is that many mild cases can be treated right from home using over-the-counter treatments. Here are some common choices:

Ibuprofen

Before anything else, take two ibuprofens and call me never because who still uses those? But seriously folks, ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain so that you don’t feel like throwing yourself into traffic every time someone sneezes too loudly.

Decongestants

Since congestion frequently accompanies an ear ache, taking a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine may offer some relief by reducing blood vessel swelling around your eardrum …which makes sense since there’s cartilage just behind our eardrums /huh/

Just make sure to only use this option when younger infants aren’t present… so schedule accordingly with nap times people!

Antihistamines

While antihistamines aren’t commonly used anymore due to their prevalence in leading medicines back during colonial times(!??), they can aid in treating ear infections because sometimes your runny nose and itchy eyes are part of the problem. Clearing up these symptoms with an antihistamine medication might alleviate some of that pressure on your ears like a massage we ain’t hating!

Home Remedies

If OTC treatments aren’t quite doing the trick, perhaps try out some home remedies to ease your pain:

Heat Therapy

To soothe ear ache pains, place a warm pack on the affected area for 15 minutes at a time. This may promote drainage from any fluid buildup inside so acts like flames clearing debris.

Garlic Oil Drops

Garlic oil drops can help relieve pain and fight against bacteria causing the infection. A good way to apply this is by heating two tablespoons of garlic oil until it’s warm then using an eye dropper, placing three or four drops into each ear canal (one at a time).

Really though…who needs imaginary friends when you have garlic? Garlic does everything- Just leave slices around different parts of your house in case you need its assistance!

Over-The-Counter Treatments

When all else fails, go straight for over-the-counter treatments specifically designed for treating ear infections which will contain active ingredients including acetic acid or isopropyl alcohol. Any pharmacist would be happy to recommend their third-favorite choice here – maybe even second if it’s their lucky day!

Ear infections do not always require medical attention but often times its starts feeling worse – Want relief? Schedule a visit! Here’s why:

  • Avoid hearing loss
  • Rule out meningitis /because nobody wants that/
  • Ensure proper treatment and dosages
    You just want someone to sympathize with ya right??? Ain’t no shame there!

Treating an ear infection should start once symptoms arise – instead of waiting for it gets severe – any choice that’s made seems viable based on the severity of the condition. Over-the-counter and home remedies are a perfect way to provide relief, but if symptoms worsen, it may be time to see a doctor who can provide better diagnosis and treatment moving forward. Garlic remains an unlikely hero for almost everything in life…who knew?!

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